Jazz on stage with Sol3 Mio
Jazz Vidamo is happy to sing her way around Waikato, for now.
Yet the Matamata opera singer, at just 12 years of age, has her sights set on the international stage and a performance with the country’s greatest musical trio might just help get her there.
Jazz joined Pene Pati, Amitai Pati and Moses Mackey on stage to sing
from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot during their 2021 New Zealand Tour on March 30.
‘‘It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had, singing with some of the best singers in New Zealand,’’ Jazz told
‘‘I felt, surprisingly, really calm. I don’t think people expect it coming from a 12-year-old.’’
Jazz’s love for music began at the tender age of two, but her love for opera came years later.
The Vidamos were gathered watching when 13-year-old Laura Bretan walked on stage and sung opera.
‘‘I said to mum, I want to do that too. The style of singing, it’s captivating and grabs your attention right away. That’s what drew me to opera.
‘‘Learning how to sustain my breath and notes, and coping with everything that’s been thrown at me is the most challenging.’’
Jazz started singing lessons with her mum and grandmother – both classical singers who followed in the footsteps of her great-grandmother, dubbed ‘princess soprano’. But as Jazz’s vocal range grew, so did the need to travel out of town.
Jazz’s mother, Lei, drives to Hamilton once a week for her daughter’s singing lesson with Jayne Tankersley, recommended by Dame Malvina Major when the pair met in 2019.
Dame Malvina met with Jazz because she was curious to hear a nine-year-old was singing opera, Lei said. She stays local for her piano and theory lessons with Matamata teacher Cheryl King.
Despite her talent for trills, vocal range and Italian, the soprano doesn’t spend too much of her spare time practising.
‘‘I focus on schoolwork mostly, or I’m painting. I’m still able to hang out with my friends, but we have to schedule it, so it doesn’t interfere with anything else.’’
Jazz has performed across Waikato, including the Hamilton Competitions Society, Opera Idol, Rotorua’s Talent and Variety Show, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and New Zealand Lockwood Aria. She also travelled to Hollywood for the World Championships of Performing Arts in 2019 to represent New Zealand, alongside 72 other countries.